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Every year, on the 5th of February, Pakistan observes what it calls “Kashmir Solidarity Day,” claiming to show support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, this so-called “solidarity” is nothing more than a politically motivated propaganda campaign designed to mislead the world while conveniently ignoring the brutal oppression of the people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. This day is nothing but a facade, an attempt by Pakistan to deflect attention from its internal failures and to perpetuate a false narrative on the global stage.Pakistan has no moral authority to talk about Kashmir when its own track record in POK is stained with human rights violations, political suppression, and economic deprivation. The so-called “solidarity” never extends to the people of POK and Gilgit-Baltistan, who continue to live under military control with no political rights, lack of basic amenities, and rampant exploitation of their resources. Unlike Jammu and Kashmir, which enjoys a democratic framework with constitutional protections and rights in India, the people of POK have been systematically denied their basic freedoms under Pakistan’s authoritarian rule.The observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day is nothing more than a state-sponsored event used to spread anti-India propaganda. The Pakistani establishment funds rallies, speeches, and media campaigns to project itself as a so-called champion of Kashmiri rights. However, Pakistan’s duplicity is evident—while it falsely accuses India of suppressing Kashmiris, it remains silent on the plight of Baloch, Sindhi, Pashtun, and other ethnic minorities facing state-sponsored violence and disappearances in its own territory.Instead of promoting peace and development in the region, Pakistan has been actively sponsoring cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The world is well aware of Pakistan’s role in training, funding, and sheltering terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The so-called “solidarity” day is, in reality, a cover-up for Pakistan’s continued attempts to destabilize Kashmir and mislead the international community. Its efforts to radicalize and misguide youth in Jammu and Kashmir through terror networks have been exposed time and again. The international community, including major global powers, has recognized Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism and destabilizing South Asia.Unlike the repression in POK, Jammu and Kashmir under Indian governance has witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the region has experienced increased investment, better security, and improved governance. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are now actively participating in democratic processes, including elections, which stand in stark contrast to the controlled political environment in POK, where the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies dictate terms. The developmental initiatives undertaken by India in the region have provided employment opportunities, better healthcare, and improved education systems, further dismantling Pakistan’s false claims of “oppression.”Pakistan’s attempts to internationalize the Kashmir issue have largely failed. Major global powers recognize Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism and its lack of credibility when it comes to human rights. Even the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which has historically been sympathetic to Pakistan, has started acknowledging India’s concerns while ignoring Pakistan’s empty rhetoric. Pakistan’s obsession with Kashmir is a strategic distraction from its own internal crises, including economic turmoil, political instability, and the increasing influence of extremist groups that threaten its very existence.The hypocrisy of Pakistan’s “Kashmir Solidarity Day” becomes evident when one examines its treatment of the people in POK and Gilgit-Baltistan. The region remains heavily militarized, with severe restrictions on free speech and political activism. Reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and economic exploitation of local resources by the Pakistani military and Chinese interests under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project further expose the grim reality. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have repeatedly protested against their marginalization, yet their voices are suppressed under draconian laws.Furthermore, Pakistan’s economic and political instability has resulted in the deterioration of human rights across the country. The Pakistani government, while diverting public attention to Kashmir, continues to face severe criticism from international human rights organizations over the enforced disappearances and targeted killings of journalists, activists, and political dissidents. The Balochistan region, in particular, has been a victim of state-sponsored repression, with mass graves, disappearances, and military operations being a routine occurrence. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) has also raised global awareness about the oppression of Pashtuns, highlighting the double standards of the Pakistani state when it comes to human rights.Pakistan’s so-called “Kashmir Solidarity Day” is a hollow exercise aimed at spreading falsehoods and fueling separatist sentiments in India. The reality is that Pakistan itself is the biggest oppressor of the people in POK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Instead of wasting resources on futile propaganda, Pakistan should focus on addressing its own internal issues—political instability, economic crisis, and the rising influence of extremist groups. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen democracy and development, and no amount of false propaganda can change that truth. India, as the world’s largest democracy, remains committed to the welfare, security, and progress of its citizens in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring a brighter future for the region.The world is no longer fooled by Pakistan’s deceptive tactics. The narrative pushed by Islamabad is outdated and has been repeatedly debunked by facts and realities on the ground. The path forward for Pakistan should be one of introspection, focusing on resolving its deep-rooted internal issues rather than fueling divisive propaganda against India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are integral to India’s democratic and developmental vision, and their future is one of peace, progress, and prosperity under the Indian Constitution.
Umarnazir2980@gamil.com
